Aker Biomarine Antarctic krill
Last Updated: 20th January 2010
Number of fisheries: 1
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Fishery Species
Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba)
MSC assessment status
Two notices to object to the determination of the certification of the Aker Biomarine Antarctic krill fishery has been received by the MSC.
The MSC’s Objections Process, a requirement of FAO Guidelines, provides a structured, transparent and independent process by which objections to the Final Report and Determination of a certifier can be resolved by an Independent Adjudicator. The Independent Adjudicator, who is a Board appointee, initially determines if the basis of the objection has standing. If not, the objection will be dismissed. If it has standing, the certifier is requested to review the issues identified.
The Independent Adjudicator has considered both objections and ruled that in accordance with the objections procedure, that one objection does not satisfy any of the requirements set out in the procedure whereas the other raised substantial issues of concern.
The certification body, Moody Marine Ltd, will now reconsider its final report and determination over a period of up to 20 working days.
Furthermore, Moody Marine Ltd, have provided their response to the objection raised and this submission has been posted on the assessment downloads page for this fishery on the MSC website, as per paragraph 4.6.1 of the MSC Objections Procedure (TAB D-023).
Finally, the MSC would like to announce the appointment of a new Independent Adjudicator. Eldon Greenberg has been appointed by the MSC Board of Trustees to consider the objection as the Independent Adjudicator, pursuant to the provisions of paragraph 4.3.1 of the Fisheries Certification Methodology Objections Procedure.
For enquiries in relation to the appointment of Eldon Greenberg to adjudicate on this particular objection, please contact Mathew Bartholomew.
Please refer to the assessment downloads section for further information.
Fishery location
The Atlantic sector of the Southern Ocean, within CCAMLR Statistical Area 48.
Fishing method
Pelagic Trawl
Fishery management
The Aker Biomarine Antarctic krill fishery is managed within the framework of the Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR). Three krill fisheries are permitted in CCAMLR waters with Aker Biomarine participating in fishery within CCAMLR Statistical Area 48, within Atlantic sector of the Southern Ocean. Part of the fishery overlaps with waters under the jurisdiction of the Government of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (GSGSSI), though management in this area by GSGSSI within the CCAMLR management framework.
Management measures are established annually and include a Total Allowable Catch (TAC), data reporting requirements and environmental protection measures such as restrictions on the discharge of oil, garbage and other wastes. The enforcement of CCAMLR regulations and the licensing of vessels to take part in the fishery is the responsibility of the flag state, which is Norway in this case.
A TAC of 3.47 million tones was established for the 2007/08 fishing season, though a lesser limit of 620,000 tonnes presents the effective TAC until the Commission agrees to allocate the TAC between smaller management units. Annual catches from all participants in the fishery have ranged between 100,000 and 110,000 tonnes since 2000, while Aker Biomarine are forecasting a catch of 55,000 tonnes in the 2008/09 season.
Commercial market
Product from the Aker Biomarine Antarctic krill fishery is sold predominantly in the US and European markets. Products include pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals and feeds for aquaculture.
Assessment timeline
The assessment process is expected to take 9 months and is scheduled for completion in or around June 2009. Please see the download section for a detailed assessment timeline.
The target eligibility date for this fishery is the 1st of June 2009.
The MSC ecolabel can only be applied to product from certified fisheries. The MSC program does allow, in certain circumstances and within strict traceability requirements, the MSC ecolabel to be applied following certification to product caught before the actual date of certification. The target eligibility date therefore represents the date from which products may become eligible to carry the MSC ecolabel, however they cannot be sold until and if the fishery is certified. The actual eligibility date will be determined if the fishery is certified to the MSC standard.
To find out more about when fish from this fishery may be sold with the MSC ecolabel, please follow this link (http://www.msc.org/get-certified/supply-chain/eligibility-dates).
